Welcome to the EquiRatings Archive, a treasure trove of timeless tales that celebrate the unique bond between horse and rider, the thrill of competition, and the beauty of this age-old tradition. Here, you'll find an extensive collection of stories from the world of equestrian sports, covering everything in show jumping and eventing.

Main

Carolina CCI4*-S first ran in 2014 and every winner since 2015 (nine consecutive winners)&nbsp;has won from a dressage score in the 20s. This year, the pre-competition favorite on the <a href="https://prediction-centre.equiratings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EquiRatings Prediction Centre</a> is the only combination in the field with a dressage 6RA (six-run average) in the 20s. They enter on a 23% win chance.
So will it be that simple? Can Boyd Martin and new partner Cooley Nutcracker lead Qualifier 5 of the US Equestrian Open from start to finish and continue the trend? It just might not be quite that simple.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/5958a4ec-0ce3-4f95-a44b-05ab4a22e6fa.png?width=908&amp;height=1718" alt="Table showing the Best Dressage Horses in the Carolina Cci4 S Field According to the Equiratings 6ra">
<h2 dir="ltr">A &ldquo;True Honor&rdquo;</h2>
Boyd Martin sits in a familiar position as the highest ranked US eventer in the FEI World Rankings, currently ranked #10. But he&rsquo;s a rider that will sacrifice a short-term win for a longer-term plan and that may just be the case in this instance. They say eventing is the greatest test of horse and human partnership, but creating that partnership takes time. Boyd takes over the reins from a recovering Liz Halliday, and his sights are set on future targets:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;This will be my and Cooley Nutcracker's first FEI event together. My plan is to use it as a competition to build our partnership and gain a qualification towards Tryon 4L. In short, I will be coasting around not taking any chances.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
On taking over the reins from his Olympic teammate, Boyd couldn&rsquo;t have said a kinder word:
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a true honor and privilege to campaign Liz&rsquo;s top horses whilst she is working hard at her recovery.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/7bbdc92c-3e98-41f2-8ad9-f3adc8f2545e.jpg?width=5392&amp;height=3592" alt="Liz Halliday fist pumping toward the audience as she rides the dark bay horse Cooley Nutcracker after their dressage test at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Palace of Versaille looms large in the background as the pair are still in the arena.">
Cooley Nutcracker with Liz Halliday at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
<h2 dir="ltr">Wide Open</h2>
Top level eventing isn&rsquo;t always an open affair, but this edition looks to be exactly that. Those who shine in the first phase can often build a lead that is insurmountable. Five of the ten previous Carolina 4*-S winners have led the dressage phase. However, with the likely dressage leader (Boyd &amp; Cooley Nutcracker) taking their time on the cross-country, the obvious starting point for a likely winner is last week&rsquo;s Qualifier 4 victor, Caroline Pamukcu.&nbsp;
Pamukcu only needed 5 weeks to recover from the birth of her first child when winning Bouckaert on HSH Double Sixteen, so don&rsquo;t expect the five-day turnaround between series qualifiers to present any challenge to the winning-most international eventer of the past two seasons.
She is double-handed near the top of the EquiRatings Prediction Centre with both King&rsquo;s Especiale and She&rsquo;s The One likely to feature at the top of the final leaderboard.&nbsp;
<h2>US versus the rest&hellip;</h2>
For Pamukcu to make it back-to-back wins, we'd expect her to have to climb the leaderboard as she did last week. Her strongest challenger is most likely to come from outside the home nation, as US-based New Zealander Monica Spencer will start with a strong first phase aboard her long-term partner Artist.
Spencer has contested 18 four-star shorts, withdrawn from two, and finished in the top eight on every other occasion. That remarkable consistency spans four different horses and goes back as far as 2012. However, her only win came at Matamata on home soil back in 2022 with her partner for this weekend.&nbsp;
With Spencer likely to start strong and Pamukcu looking to chase her down, other notable combinations include Will Faudree aboard the experienced PFun. If this combination can jump clear through the cross-country obstacles, then we expect them to sit alongside, if not surpass, the main contenders of this wide open qualifier.&nbsp;
&nbsp;<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/470cec83-cf63-4c17-ae6e-7b618b2c3f4f.jpg?width=1600&amp;height=1068" alt="Photo of Will Faudree and the grey horse Pfun clearing a cross country obstacle. photo by Leslie Mintz">
Will Faudree and Pfun. Photo by Leslie Mintz.
<h2 dir="ltr">All the facts, stats and key contenders</h2>
The reality of this sport and this qualifier is that nothing will be easy or even simple when it comes to taking the top spot. For all the key insights, past trends, facts and stats around who wins and who looks strongest in each phase, <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/1020318388/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the official fan guide here</a>.&nbsp;
Guides for the Open series are always accessible in the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/magazines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a> section of this site.
<h2 dir="ltr">What's Next</h2>
After Carolina, the US Equestrian Open heads to The Event at TerraNova at the end of March.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/aee0755f-7ba0-4aaf-b197-8570742781c8.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Competition Calendar for the 2024-2025 US Equestrian Open of Eventing">
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
&nbsp;
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Image of Monica Spencer and the bay horse Artist after their show jumping round in a competition. Monica smiles at the camera.

Carolina is Set to Upset the Trends

For the first time in four years, an American rider stood atop the podium at the only CDI5* dressage competition in the Western Hemisphere. Adrienne Lyle and Helix delivered a career-best 80.600% in the Grand Prix Freestyle at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10, securing a decisive victory ahead of their upcoming World Cup Final appearance in Basel, Switzerland in April.
With a technically demanding freestyle that emphasized precision and harmony, Lyle and the 13-year-old KWPN gelding (by Apache x Jazz) rose to the occasion, besting a field that included some of the biggest names in the sport. Judge William Warren (USA), who presided over the competition from C, praised Lyle&rsquo;s ride for its harmony and effortless execution.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;It felt easy, which is exactly what I was hoping for,&rdquo; Lyle said.
</blockquote>
&ldquo;I wanted one more chance to get in an environment like this before we head to the World Cup. My main goal was to have a quiet, harmonious ride, and he felt like he did the whole thing effortlessly&mdash;didn&rsquo;t even break a sweat&mdash;and walked calmly back to his stall.&rdquo;
Despite their dominant performance, Lyle and Helix are still a relatively new partnership, having made their Big Tour debut just under a year ago before representing the United States at the Paris Olympics last summer.&nbsp;
<h2>Mendoza Loor Takes Second in Second Outing</h2>
Julio Mendoza Loor and Jewel&rsquo;s Goldstrike continued their strong return to competition, finishing second on 78.520%. The 12-year-old KWPN gelding (by Bretton Woods x Watermill Scandic), affectionately known as &ldquo;Goldie,&rdquo; is fresh off a win in Ocala last weekend, making this just his second show since the Paris Olympics last year.
Mendoza Loor, known for his infectious enthusiasm, was thrilled with the result.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m always happy. If I have to lose against somebody, I&rsquo;m happy to lose to Adrienne,&rdquo; he said.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m so grateful to be competing in the five-star with mega riders and horses.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Goldie, once deemed too difficult to ride, was purchased by Mendoza Loor for just $20 as an eight-year-old. The key to unlocking his potential? 24/7 turnout, which has transformed him into the powerful, expressive competitor seen in the arena today.
<h2>Marek Podiums, Stays Atop the Leaderboard</h2>
Anna Marek and Fayvel claimed third place with a 77.135%, further solidifying Marek&rsquo;s dominance in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage Series. With 88 points, she remains firmly in first place, having now collected scores across six qualifiers.
While Marek is a regular at Friday Night Stars, this week still carried a different kind of pressure. &ldquo;I usually come in and I don&rsquo;t look at the crowd after doing so many Friday night freestyles, but this was exciting,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The really great thing about Fayvel is that he&rsquo;s the same, and I can trust him to go in any atmosphere. I know that I can have a clean test on him now at the Grand Prix, but now that he is mature and strong, we&rsquo;re working on the details of making everything just a little bit better.&rdquo;
Marek, who has been splitting her scores across Fayvel and Fire Fly, is one of the busiest riders in the Series, having competed in half of the East Coast qualifiers so far.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a5c8894b-1fda-4afb-857a-692db83abe82.jpeg?width=990&amp;height=1102" alt="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Standings as of March 17, 2025">
<h2>Eger &amp; Kohmann Climb the Standings</h2>
With her fifth-place finish (76.755%), Evelyn Eger remains second in the Series standings with 75 points, keeping the pressure on Marek as the season progresses. Unlike Marek, Eger has relied solely on Tabledance 3 for her scores, making her one of the most consistent competitors in the series.
Felicitas Hendricks also remains in contention, finishing sixth on 76.435%, keeping her in third place overall (64 points).
Meanwhile, Kevin Kohmann delivered a crowd-favorite performance, finishing fourth on 76.965% with D&uuml;nensee. Spectators judged their test the highest of the night, showing just how popular their freestyle has become. With this performance, Kohmann continues to climb the US Equestrian Open standings, now sitting seventh with 52 points.
Lyle, despite competing in just three qualifiers, has already moved into a tie for fifth (57 points) alongside Denielle Gallagher&mdash;a testament to the strength of her performances.
<h2>Next Stop Del Mar</h2>
Next week, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage heads back to the West Coast for the Del Mar Dressage Affaire, marking the first qualifier on the West Coast since Week 7.
With the season now past its midway point, the pressure is on for riders looking to solidify their Series standings. Watch it all unfold as the Series shifts to Del Mar.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4d17c7b1-a53e-4de7-89f7-670b5abd23fa.jpeg?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Schedule of the US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifiers">

Adrienne Lyle and Helix entering the arena at the Paris Olympics

Lyle & Helix Soar to Five-Star Victory

Horses are a familiar creative muse for Susanne Ross Blackinton-Juaire, a sixth-generation silversmith and the heart of S.R. Blackinton. Founded in 2018 on principles of craftsmanship and design excellence, this family-run business based in Smithfield, R.I., has been a beacon in the silversmithing world for over 160 years. The United States Equestrian Federation headquarters in Lexington, Ky. is home to over 140 perpetual trophies that are awarded annually at the Pegasus and Horse of the Year Awards. When the US Equestrian Open series was ideated, the team at USEF knew that S.R. Blackinton was the team to call upon for a new addition.
S.R. Blackinton began in 1862 with Susanne&rsquo;s great-great-grandfather Roswell Blackinton and his company:&nbsp;R. Blackinton &amp; Co. His dedication to the craft laid the foundation for a lineage of artisans who have upheld the highest standards of silversmithing. For six generations, the Blackinton family has contributed unique talents to the trade, ensuring the spirit of their forebears lives on in every piece they create. Susanne&rsquo;s own path into the family business started in her teenage years. She spent her early days in the packing department of New England Sterling, founded in 1969 by Susanne&rsquo;s father Ross Blackinton, where she witnessed the magic of trophy-making. Being in the workshop with her father was a bonding experience.&nbsp; Her father helped craft many early editions of the revered Kentucky Derby gold cup trophy, which ignited a creative spark in Susanne. Through mentorship from legendary silversmith Walter Bigo, she nurtured her skills and committed to the craft. The partnership with her husband, Bill Juaire, has enriched the growth of the family business. Bill, known for his metal-spinning skills, founded New England Copperworks in the early 2000s and specialized in copper ornamentals. When Susanne joined him in 2006, their collaboration flourished, leading to the creation of fine silver works and jewelry. Together with their daughter, seventh generation silversmith Skyla Blackinton-Juaire, they have crafted awards for events like The BIG3 basketball championship and The Preakness Stakes. During her apprenticeship, Susanne made a promise to herself: &ldquo;Someday, I will make the Kentucky Derby trophy.&rdquo; That promise has come full circle as she and her team not only craft the trophy annually for the legendary horse race but are now adding a new equestrian sport series to their portfolio: The US Equestrian Open. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first trophy S.R. Blackinton has created for an equestrian sport outside of horse racing. &ldquo;Other trophies we&rsquo;ve made have been for dog shows, golf tournaments, and corporate awards. I love this opportunity because I&rsquo;ve always loved watching jumping and eventing,&rdquo; Susanne explained. The design process for the US Equestrian Open trophy began with a bold vision to step away from traditional cup designs. The result? A stunning three-sided tower that stands two feet high, adorned with three-dimensional horse and rider silhouettes. Susanne recalls, &ldquo;We were really limited in what we could take on for trophies and we had shut down many commissions. But, when we saw the inquiry from the US Equestrian team, we knew this one had us interested.&rdquo; Skyla, Susanne&rsquo;s daughter, added, &ldquo;There&rsquo;s so much to learn from this project. It was a little intimidating at first. It started with CAD models that got 3D printed. At one point, we had a whole herd of 3D-printed horses to consider for size and positioning.&rdquo; The journey to the trophy completion hasn&rsquo;t been without its challenges. &ldquo;All the days and months meshed together,&rdquo; Skyla shares, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s been a busy year. The conversation started in the summer, and we got going pretty quickly. Brian, our head silversmith, put together some CAD images, and the horses came in as an afterthought. Initially, we thought adding the three horses would be easy, but it became one of the biggest tasks to get right.&rdquo; Susanne reflected on the intricate design process, &ldquo;I was focused on the horse&rsquo;s muscle tone and positioning,&rdquo; she explained. The marketing team at US Equestrian provided many photos of horse-and-athlete combinations from various events to help the Blackinton-Juaires with this process, and they&rsquo;ve left no detail untouched. Susanne continued, &ldquo;We realized that when a rider is jumping, their posture matters! One of the things we&rsquo;ve homed in on is applying the reins, so I&rsquo;ve been studying photos to see how they drape.&rdquo; Despite the design hurdles, the S.R. Blackinton team remained committed to excellence. The trophy features silver plating and intricate details, including the double bridle specifically designed for the dressage horse and athlete. At the top of the trophy, a US Equestrian tulip horse is plated in gold. A special feature of the design is that the tulip horse can rotate, making the trophy ready to be photographed from every angle at all three discipline finals. In addition to the trophy, S.R. Blackinton plans to introduce a line of fine jewelry inspired by the trophy design, which will be unveiled at the Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix Final at Wellington International in Wellington, Fla. on March 29. This extension of their artistry ensures that the spirit of the US Equestrian Open resonates with fans and participants alike. The Blackinton-Juaires are hopeful that the trophy will make a lasting impression on the athletes throughout the year. &ldquo;I hope they love it,&rdquo; Susanne shared. Athletes who win the discipline specific finals will take home special keeper trophies.&nbsp; She added, &ldquo;Each keeper will have elements of the perpetual trophy, and we&rsquo;ve made sure each horse&rsquo;s details are just right &ndash; from their tails to their hooves.&rdquo; In a world where many artisanal crafts have been lost to time, S.R. Blackinton serves as a reminder that true artistry is timeless. As they etch their mark on the US Equestrian Open, Susanne and her family honor their past while embracing a bright future that will see many equestrian athletes and horses hoisting their trophy in the air in victory at the US Equestrian Open jumping, eventing, and dressage finals for years to come.&nbsp; About the US Equestrian Open&nbsp; The US Equestrian Open Series is proudly supported by industry-leading technology, utilizing data-driven insights and real-time results to enhance the fan experience. In collaboration with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.equiratings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EquiRatings</a>, the premier data and analytics firm in the industry, and&nbsp;<a href="https://blackhorse-one.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black Horse One</a>,&nbsp;one&nbsp;of the pre-eminent technology and scoring providers across the equestrian disciplines, the US Equestrian Open is revolutionizing the way audiences view, interact with, and follow equestrian sport.&nbsp;&nbsp; Connect With the US Equestrian Open&nbsp; Stay up to date with news and standings of the US Equestrian Open on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>. Follow US Equestrian on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/USequestrian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/USequestrian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a>. Use&nbsp;#USEquestrianOpen.&nbsp;

Horses and Heritage: The Craftsmanship of the US Equestrian Open Trophy

As the only CDI5* in Wellington&rsquo;s winter circuit&mdash;and the only 5-star qualifier in the Series&mdash;Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 promises a night of top-tier competition, featuring a star-studded cast of horses and riders. The staggering $150,000 prize pool has drawn competitors from around the globe, with nearly every entry boasting an international championship appearance on their r&eacute;sum&eacute;.
With a stacked field, we could see some of the highest scores and narrowest margins of the season so far.
<h2>The Midseason Leaderboard Battle</h2>
With four qualifiers behind her, Anna Marek holds a comfortable 11-point lead as the Series reaches its midway mark. She has a solid margin, but it&rsquo;s not untouchable. German riders Evelyn Eger and Felicitas Hendricks have a chance to overtake her this weekend, but everything would have to go right for them&mdash;and very wrong for Marek. If either of them wins the class and Marek finishes outside the top ten, they would overtake her lead&mdash;an unlikely but not impossible scenario. After all, Marek and Fayvel <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-5-preview-a-wide-open-field" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retired from Qualifier 5</a> back in January.
Still, Marek has been the most consistent rider in the series, placing first or second in all four of her qualifier performances. Her lead is likely safe this weekend, but the gap could shrink dramatically if she finishes outside the top five.
<h2>Breaking 80%: The Riders on the Brink</h2>
Adrienne Lyle and Helix are the only pair to <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/lyle-marek-and-rizvi-deliver-a-thrilling-night-of-freestyle-dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">score above 80%</a> in a freestyle this year. That result came in Qualifier 6, when Lyle won with 80.325%. While Julio Mendoza Loor is the only other rider in this field who has hit that mark in the past, four more combinations are knocking on the door:
<ul>
<li>Kevin Kohmann (PB 79.240%)</li>
<li>Felicitas Hendricks (PB 79.105%)</li>
<li>Anna Marek (PB 78.995%)</li>
<li>Tinne Vilhelmson Silfv&eacute;n (PB 78.080%)</li>
</ul>
With so many riders on the cusp of 80%, expect at least one new PB this weekend.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d0eae42e-7469-4067-99d5-6832a5341b33.png?width=1372&amp;height=2104" alt="Table showing the personal best and average scores for all horses in the field this week.">
<h2>Momentum, Pressure, and the Fight for a Repeat Win</h2>
A win this weekend would make Mendoza Loor the first rider to claim back-to-back victories in the series&mdash;a feat no one has achieved in 11 qualifiers. His 84% personal best makes him the statistical frontrunner, and after outscoring Marek in Ocala last week, he has momentum on his side.
But Mendoza Loor isn&rsquo;t the only one peaking at the right time. Kevin Kohmann, fresh off securing his World Cup Final ticket, is another major contender. His win in AGDF 8 showcased his ability to deliver under pressure, and with a 79.240% PB, he has the scoring power to challenge for another podium.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Eger has been a Wellington fixture, competing in each qualifier at this venue. The Friday Night Stars atmosphere can be electric, with lights, music, and a high-energy crowd. Both she and Tabledance 3 are well-adjusted to these conditions, which could give her an advantage over series newcomer Pablo Gomez Molina.
So far, five riders have won here this season&mdash;proof that no single competitor dominates Wellington. That trend could continue, or we could see the season&rsquo;s first repeat winner.
<h2>Every Tenth Counts</h2>
One thing is certain&mdash;nothing at Wellington comes easy. Every win is earned. Nothing is guaranteed, and the fight for the top is relentless.
The data says Mendoza Loor is the frontrunner, but as we learned in <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/qualifier-8-recap-when-the-numbers-dont-tell-the-whole-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Week 8</a>, sometimes the numbers don&rsquo;t tell the whole story.
With 13 combinations in the Freestyle and so many clustered in the high 70s, every tenth of a percent is going to matter. Watch Friday Night Stars live at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on the USEF Network&mdash;<a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">sign up for free</a> as a fan to stream the action.

Anna Marek in her show attire smiling during a dressage test

Clash of the Titans

New Podcast: David O'Connor on Changing The Game for Horse Sports

In their first competition since last summer&rsquo;s European circuit, Anna Buffini and Fiontini clinched the Grand Prix Freestyle win at the Del Mar Dressage Affaire with a score of 73.235%. A narrow margin separated Buffini from her longtime coach, G&uuml;nter Seidel&mdash;just 0.155%.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Smooth Return for Dressage&rsquo;s Favorite &lsquo;-inis&rsquo;</h2>
It was a quiet class in sunny Southern California, with only four combinations entered in the freestyle. While eight riders completed the Grand Prix this weekend, the field split between Special and Freestyle divisions. This marks Buffini&rsquo;s first appearance in a US Equestrian Open of Dressage qualifier, and her win earns her 20 points&mdash;putting her alongside three other riders tied in the standings. With only two West Coast qualifiers remaining, Buffini could still climb the leaderboard&mdash;but unless she plans to head East for additional shows, her path to the Finals may be limited.
Their final score of 73.235% this weekend marked a steady, if not spectacular, return. Although Fiontini boasts one of the highest personal bests in the field&mdash;an 83.410% earned earlier in her career under a previous rider&mdash;Buffini is still forging her own path with the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare.
Buffini acquired Fiontini in late 2021 but kept the mare largely out of the spotlight for the first two years of their partnership, focusing instead on building trust and fine-tuning the basics. It wasn&rsquo;t until February 2024 that the pair made their international debut at the CDI3* in Del Mar, where they finished second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special . The mare, a triple World Young Horse Champion, has passed through the hands of some of Europe&rsquo;s most prolific male riders. In Buffini&rsquo;s program, she&rsquo;s found a quieter cadence&mdash;one that prioritizes partnership over pressure.
Sunday&rsquo;s result gives them a strong foundation to build from this season. The test wasn&rsquo;t without its quirks&mdash;most notably, a wide spread in the scoring for their extended canter. One judge awarded an 8, while others gave 5s and even 4s, suggesting a possible miscommunication or moment of misinterpretation. Still, the performance was enough for the win.
<h2 dir="ltr">Seidel Shows His Hand</h2>
G&uuml;nter Seidel and Equirelle posted a 73.080%, a marked improvement from their last US Equestrian Open outing, where they earned a 68.695%. This time, two judges&mdash;at H and C&mdash;actually placed Seidel in first, awarding him 74.200% and 75.175%, respectively. Those were the highest individual scores given in the class.
Their test was clean and cohesive, with no major weak spots. The 16-year-old KWPN mare looked relaxed and rideable, and the pair&rsquo;s degree of difficulty averaged 9.16&mdash;just edging out Buffini&rsquo;s 9.12&mdash;making a strong case that Seidel delivered the more technically ambitious ride of the day.
<h2 dir="ltr">Standings Update</h2>
Canada&rsquo;s Brittney Simpson and her mount Kartsevo Goldfinch placed third on a 72.010%, while Kristina Harrison-Antell and Finley rounded out the field with a 68.140%. The result brings both Simpson and Harrison-Antell to a tie for ninth place in the overall US Equestrian Open of Dressage standings, each sitting on 49 points.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/bfa610aa-0a22-4f19-8ee2-f7bed19800bc.png?width=491&amp;height=609" alt="Screenshot of the leaderboard as of march 24, 2025">
<h2 dir="ltr">What&rsquo;s Next</h2>
While this weekend didn&rsquo;t dramatically shake up the leaderboard, Seidel&rsquo;s upward trajectory is one to watch. With only two more West Coast qualifiers remaining, his path to the Finals may require a few cross-country miles&mdash;but if he wins another qualifier and picks up additional points out East, he could position himself for a return trip to Thermal this fall.
Qualifier 13 takes place this Friday in Wellington, Florida, during the final week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Tune in live to the USEF Network to watch the action unfold.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/22433326-f7d7-4286-930b-62c3a1ba80f2.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Show calendar for the 2025 US Equestrian Open of Dressage">

Horse and rider pictured from above entering a competition arena

Buffini Returns, Seidel Surges: A Tight Finish at the Del Mar Affaire 

Only four horses are entered in this week&rsquo;s qualifier, but don&rsquo;t let the numbers fool you. &ldquo;Small field&rdquo; does not equal &ldquo;small story.&rdquo; From a US Equestrian Open of Dressage leaderboard perspective, this show won&rsquo;t be the most consequential event of the season. But it will, however, feature one of the most celebrated horses in the entire Series: Fiontini.
<h2 dir="ltr">A Living Legend</h2>
The 15-year-old Danish Warmblood mare has one of the most consistent records in the sport. In 15 Grand Prix starts, she&rsquo;s dipped below 69% just twice. In the freestyle, she consistently scores in the mid-70s to 80s, no matter the rider. A Triple World Young Horse Champion (2015&ndash;2017), Fiontini isn&rsquo;t just good; she&rsquo;s reliably brilliant.
Over the course of her career, she&rsquo;s been ridden by some of Europe&rsquo;s top male riders: Severo Jurado L&oacute;pez, Andreas Helgstrand, and Patrik Kittel. Now, she&rsquo;s owned and ridden by 30-year-old US team rider Anna Buffini&mdash;one of the youngest athletes to represent the US at a World Championship in recent years. After purchasing the mare, Buffini joked that it was time to turn Fiontini into a &ldquo;lady&rsquo;s ride.&rdquo;
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<h2 dir="ltr">A New Chapter</h2>
Buffini first saw Fiontini competing with Kittel at Aachen. It only took one test ride for her to fall in love with the mare&rsquo;s big heart and immense talent. But transitioning Fiontini to Buffini&rsquo;s lighter riding style became a project of patience and tact. She was used to stronger leg aids and, at first, would shake her sides like she had flies on them when Buffini applied pressure.
So began the process of teaching her to respond to subtler cues&mdash;a new language for horse and rider. With the help of her longtime coach G&uuml;nter Seidel (also entered in this weekend's class), they opted for a long runway: two full years out of the spotlight, focused on trust, softness, and feel.
Buffini, who has a large social media following, chose to keep Fiontini&rsquo;s training private. Fans were eager to see the mare return to competition, but Buffini stayed steady in her approach.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;When she&rsquo;s ready, we&rsquo;ll come out.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
<h2 dir="ltr">A Measured Return</h2>
That moment came 11 months ago&mdash;at this very venue. They scored 72% in the Grand Prix and 72.447% in the Grand Prix Special, a notoriously difficult test. In both, they placed second to decorated U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper. The Special was particularly close: four of the five judges placed Buffini ahead of Peters, who won by a razor-thin 72.766%.
Buffini and Fiontini debuted their freestyle the following month, again in Del Mar, earning a 76.210%. Judges rewarded the mare&rsquo;s expressive, expansive gaits with 8s for extended walk, trot, and canter. Their floor plan earned a 9.16 average degree of difficulty. The question now: in the year since we&rsquo;ve seen them perform this freestyle, have they dialed that difficulty up even further?
<h2 dir="ltr">A Delicate Dance</h2>
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With only four riders in Sunday&rsquo;s freestyle class, Buffini and Fiontini are the clear favorites. This is a chance to polish the freestyle, push the degree of difficulty, and test Fiontini&rsquo;s firepower. Seidel is the only one who could realistically challenge her. Equirelle&rsquo;s personal best&mdash;76.615%&mdash;actually edges out Buffini&rsquo;s PB on Fiontini (76.210%), but Seidel&rsquo;s last outing suggests they&rsquo;re still shaking off some freestyle rust.
Still, Seidel is a veteran, and you can never fully count him out.
Under Buffini, Fiontini is no longer just a powerhouse. She&rsquo;s expressive, responsive, and joyful in the ring. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s really become my horse,&rdquo; Buffini said after their debut. This weekend, Del Mar gets to see that magic in action.
For the West Coast, it&rsquo;s a reminder that top sport lives here too&mdash;even with smaller fields. Fiontini&rsquo;s presence brings eyes and gravitas to the Series. And for fans, it&rsquo;s a rare chance to see one of the most celebrated dressage mares of the modern era compete on home turf.
Fiontini might not be &ldquo;on the comeback&rdquo;&mdash;she never really left. But Del Mar might be where we see her new era begin.
Watch Buffini and Fiontini&rsquo;s return to the freestyle arena this Sunday&ndash;stream it live on the USEF Network. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Sign up for free</a> as a fan to catch the action.

Anna Buffini riding Fiontini in the extended trot

A Quiet Stage, A Legendary Mare

The $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix is set to deliver one of the most exciting show jumping spectacles of the year. As part of the prestigious Rolex Series, this marquee event draws the sport&rsquo;s elite to the spotlight with a huge prize fund, a technical course, and career-defining prestige. But who has the edge heading into Saturday night?&nbsp;
<a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/">View Fan Guide</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">Start List</a>&nbsp;|<a href="mailto:https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://wellingtoninternational.com/showgrounds/classes/detail?cid=200005338&amp;sid=200000013">Results</a>
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/a68b111e-50d9-45b5-a37b-63a69937686b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Jumping Us Equestrian Open Final Graphics (5)">
<h2>Kent Farrington &amp; Greya</h2>
Kent Farrington &amp; Greya will be among the favourites flying the US flag in the Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington. The pair have already made history this WEF season, with Greya becoming the first horse ever to win two five-star Grands Prix in a single Wellington season. They&rsquo;ve started 2025 with a flawless five-star 160 record &ndash; 2 clears from 2 starts, both wins &ndash; and Greya ranks inside the Top 10 rated horses in the world. They top the prediction model this week with a 12% win chance and a 60% chance of jumping clear. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e72f829f-dd8d-41d5-92e2-4ffb64954c1b.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="Kent Greya Web">
<h2>Ben Maher &amp; Dallas Vegas Batilly&nbsp;</h2>
Set to go last on Saturday night after a win in the WEF Challenge Round 12, Ben Maher brings Olympic mount Dallas Vegas Batilly to the US Equestrian Open Jumping Final. This pair has jumped clear in their last two five-star Grand Prix appearances at WEF and were instrumental in helping Team GB secure Olympic Team Gold last summer in Paris. Their 7% win chance places them firmly among the top contenders.
<h2>Henrik von Eckermann &amp; King Edward</h2>
Henrik von Eckermann has been the World #1 for 32 consecutive months and arrives with the best-rated horse in the world: King Edward. On a staggering Elo of 814, King Edward is unmatched, and their 2025 form speaks for itself &ndash; Top 5 in all three five-star Grands Prix they've contested this year, maintaining a perfect five-star 160 record in 2025. In 2024, they jumped 19 clears from 26 rounds at 160 level (73%). A position as favorite this week is no surprise.
Latest Podcast Preview:&nbsp;
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<h2>Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque&nbsp;</h2>
Karl Cook &amp; Caracole de la Roque were breakout stars in 2024, capturing wins in the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome and World Cup of Arcadia. Key to the U.S. Team Silver in Paris, they&rsquo;ve returned to the top level after a brief break. Cook was on the podium here last year with a different mount &ndash; and has a 6% chance to improve on that result this weekend.
<h2>Christian Kukuk &amp; Checker 47</h2>
The reigning Olympic Champions return to Wellington, the site of one of their greatest wins just 12 months ago. Since then, they&rsquo;ve taken the LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid and Olympic Individual Gold in Paris. They&rsquo;ve already notched a Grand Prix win here this season and hold a 6% win chance with a 49% chance of making the jump-off.
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<h2>McLain Ward &amp; Ilex&nbsp;</h2>
A legend at WEF, McLain Ward has over 60 international victories at this venue. Partnered with Olympic mount Ilex, they were key to the U.S. Team Silver in Paris and recently jumped a double clear to help the U.S. win the Longines League of Nations in Ocala. They are among the favourites for the home nation on Saturday night.
<h2>Laura Kraut &amp; Bisquetta</h2>
Laura Kraut rides Bisquetta, a combination that jumped to eighth in last year&rsquo;s Rolex Grand Prix of Wellington. Bisquetta has been incredibly reliable, jumping nine rounds at 150 level or above in top company without touching a pole. They're a potential surprise package this weekend.
Tune in to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/15330/csi5-wef-week-12-rolex-us-equestrian-open-qualifiers-and-grand-prix-a-rolex-series-event">USEF Network powered by ClipMyHorseTV</a>&nbsp;to watch all of the action live with a free fan membership. Learn more about the US Equestrian Open by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://usef-website-gold.vercel.app/">US Equestrian Open microsite, powered by EquiRatings,</a>&nbsp;to follow all of the qualifying and story-telling action throughout the year. Stay Connected For the most&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide">up-to-date series calendar</a>,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open">latest standings,</a>&nbsp;podcasts, original content and more, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usequestrianopen.org/">www.usequestrianopen.org</a>. Stay connected with the latest news and standings on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen">Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian">Facebook,</a>&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:https://x.com/usequestrian">X</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation. US Equestrian Open Technology &amp; Content Partners The US Equestrian Open Series is proudly supported by industry-leading technology, utilizing data-driven insights and real-time results to enhance the fan experience. In collaboration with&nbsp;<a title="https://www.equiratings.com/" href="https://www.equiratings.com/">EquiRatings</a>, the premier data and analytics firm in the industry, and&nbsp;<a title="https://blackhorse-one.com/" href="https://blackhorse-one.com/">Black Horse One</a>, one of the pre-eminent technology and scoring providers across the equestrian disciplines, the US Equestrian Open is revolutionizing the way audiences view, interact with, and follow equestrian sport.
<hr>
 There are plenty of other top names and rising stars in the field, each with a story worth knowing. Check out the <a href="https://digital.equiratings.com/view/64858650/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fan Guide</a> &ndash; your go-to resource for stats, stories, and insights on every combination in the class. Whether you&rsquo;re a die-hard fan or just getting into the sport, it&rsquo;s the perfect way to follow all the action.
Check out the entire Prediction Centre <a href="https://jumping-prediction-centre.equiratings.com/competitions/458" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Who Will Win the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix? 

Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena closed out the WEC spring season with authority, scoring a 76.190&mdash;their best ride to date, and the mare&rsquo;s all-time high. The win marked their second US Equestrian Open of Dressage victory, but this one felt different. The performance was bold, clean, and confident, set to a girl-power-themed freestyle featuring tracks like Femininomenon, Rich Girl, Maneater, and Perfect. The message was clear: this pair is Finals-ready.
This result solidifies Ebeling&rsquo;s position inside the top 18. He now sits tied for 12th with 57 points, and with just four qualifiers remaining&mdash;and one of them (TerraNova) right in his Florida backyard&mdash;it would take a significant shake-up to knock him out of Finals contention. More importantly, the performance suggests he won&rsquo;t just be making up the numbers in Thermal. He&rsquo;s proving he can win big classes against full fields, and he&rsquo;s done it twice this season. If this momentum carries into the fall, Ebeling could be a serious podium threat when the series wraps in California.
<blockquote>
Ben Ebeling talks family, freestyle, and the future of US dressage in a new podcast&mdash;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/ben-ebeling-family-freestyle-future-of-US-dressage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listen now</a>.
</blockquote>
<h2>Marek Crosses 100</h2>
Finishing second on the weekend with a score of 75.620, Anna Marek officially became the first&mdash;and so far, only&mdash;rider to break 100 points in the US Equestrian Open of Dressage. Her total now sits at 105, with all six of her qualifying rides complete. It&rsquo;s a landmark number, one that reflects the consistency and composure she&rsquo;s shown across multiple venues, multiple horses, and nearly every type of pressure.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/e91b3c29-9936-47e1-a729-842436e6ae70.jpeg?width=993&amp;height=723" alt="Screenshot of the leaderboard with Anna Marek in first place on 105 points.">
This ride didn&rsquo;t add a win to her tally, but it did reinforce Marek&rsquo;s position as the most successful rider in the series to date. That said, the gap is beginning to narrow. Ebeling&rsquo;s score this weekend topped hers, and while Marek remains the clear front-runner heading into the Finals, she&rsquo;s no longer operating in a vacuum. With just one series win under her belt, the question becomes: can she log another when it counts? Are these second-place finishes part of a deliberate training strategy, or the first signs of pressure peeking through? There&rsquo;s still every reason to believe Marek has what it takes to be the series&rsquo; inaugural champion, but for the first time, there&rsquo;s reason to ask. She now has two world-class Grand Prix horses to choose from heading into Thermal&mdash;depth no other rider in the field can match. Even so, the path to the title feels a little less certain than it did a month ago.
<h2>A Debut Worth Watching</h2>
Christian Simonson and Fleau De Baian made their CDI freestyle debut this weekend and walked away with third on a score of 72.330%. Their test was composed and confident, especially impressive in a ten-rider field that included both seasoned competitors and emerging international talent. While several riders in the class were chasing Finals points, Simonson was riding to show he belongs in the conversation.&nbsp;
Already a decorated young rider with a European Tour bronze medal and mentorship under Adrienne Lyle, Simonson&rsquo;s transition into senior-level CDI competition is clearly well underway. With a podium finish on debut, he and Fleau De Baian are a pair to watch in future Series stops, even if this year&rsquo;s Finals are likely out of reach.&nbsp;
<h2>The Middle Gets Messy</h2>
Charlotte Jorst brought GPF&rsquo;s S-Express into the Grand Prix Freestyle spotlight this weekend for the gelding&rsquo;s debut at the level. The 10-year-old Westphalian gelding scored a 64.990. Not a headline-making number, but also not the point. Bringing a horse to the Grand Prix level and debuting a freestyle in a series of this caliber speaks to the depth of Jorst&rsquo;s program. She remains in 7th overall with 65 points and will likely head to the Finals aboard Zhaplin Langholt, a more experienced partner who has carried her to podium positions before.
Eline Eckroth had a tougher weekend. After placing fifth in the Grand Prix, she dropped to 10th in the freestyle with a 62.535&mdash;her lowest score of the season. While shifts between the two phases are common, a five-place drop is unusual. Still, her leaderboard position is strong. She now sits in a tie for second with 86 points, a result of strategic entries in smaller fields earlier this season. Her leaderboard position reflects a season of smart scheduling and consistent entries, particularly in smaller fields. Whether that translates to success at the Finals is another question.&nbsp;
<h2>The Final Push Begins</h2>
The window for Finals qualification is closing. Nadine Schwartsman, Micaela Mabragana, and Brittney Simpson are locked in a three-way tie for 18th place, but with Schwartsman scheduled to ride in next week&rsquo;s qualifier, she&rsquo;s got the first shot to break from the pack. That Oregon qualifier marks the final stop before a long summer break, with the series resuming September 23 at Dressage at Devon.
Personal bests, photo finishes, and podium drama usually grab the headlines. But with limited chances left for anyone still chasing the cutoff, the narrative shifts. It&rsquo;s not about who&rsquo;s winning. It&rsquo;s about who&rsquo;s still in the fight.&nbsp;
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/fade3f77-cbac-402e-9d26-e7c84a8fc0fc.png?width=1080&amp;height=1350" alt="US Equestrian Open of Dressage Schedule">

WEC Belongs to Ebeling 

For the first time this season, the US Equestrian Open of Dressage splits in two, with qualifiers unfolding on both coasts this weekend. Riders will face off in Ocala and Del Mar, marking the first West Coast qualifier since opening weekend. Below are six key storylines to follow as the competition unfolds.
<h3>1. This weekend marks the series&rsquo; first doubleheader</h3>
With two qualifiers happening simultaneously, competitors on both coasts are fighting for valuable series points. The World Equestrian Center in Ocala hosts&nbsp;Qualifier 7 - East, while Del Mar Horse Park in California sees the return of West Coast action for Qualifier 7 - West&mdash;the first in the region since opening weekend. <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/17bb66f7-85cb-46de-8eb4-c41f72005e04?width=1364&amp;height=1326" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for WEC Ocala ">
<h3>2. Familiar names and new entrants are in the mix</h3>
Week One winner Genay Vaughn is competing again on&nbsp;Gino in Del Mar, and Week Five winner Denielle Gallagher is returning with&nbsp;Come Back de Massa in Ocala. Both riders have a chance to become the first double winner of the series&mdash;and if either of them succeeds, they will tie Evelyn Eger for first place in the standings.&nbsp; <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/b18f60dc-0ca7-49ef-84fd-a0c82902406b?width=1364&amp;height=1280" alt="Grand Prix Freestyle Stats for Del Mar Dressage Opener">
<h3>3. Vaughn and Gino are on an upward trajectory.</h3>
Although the pair are technically third based on averages, their consistent scoring improvements put them in strong contention for first place this weekend. If they achieve a new combination best, they will be well within reach of challenger&nbsp;G&uuml;nter Seidel&rsquo;s averages. Vaughn and Gino won Qualifier One on a score of 75.150%, while Seidel and Equirelle&rsquo;s average freestyle score sits at 75.423%&mdash;putting Vaughn within striking range of a victory. 
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/8af5861b-1a9c-4343-9358-1dafb929a37f?width=1204&amp;height=912" alt="Qn Ybw Genay Vaughn Gino S Freestyle Scores">
<h3>4. Three-time Olympian G&uuml;nter Seidel enters the series competition on Equirelle</h3>
The pair last competed at the FEI level in November 2024, when Seidel piloted Equirelle to first place in the Grand Prix Special. However, before that, they had not appeared in an FEI arena since 2021, which was also the last time they completed a freestyle. At that event, they finished second with a score of 76.615%, their combination-best. While they may be shaking off some rust this weekend, it&rsquo;s hard to count them out as podium contenders. With the highest average in the field (75.423%) and Seidel&rsquo;s decades of experience, they are well-positioned to impress this weekend <img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/d6d0d51a-e05e-4433-b601-00fcd93fa2ba?width=1204&amp;height=1472" alt="A table examining G&uuml;nter Seidel's career highlights">
<h3>5. The East Coast qualifier is wide open, with the top three entrants separated by less than one percentage point.&nbsp;</h3>
&bull; Hatsjie B (James Koford) &ndash; 71.808% &bull; Dee Clair (Caroline Stevenson)&nbsp;&ndash; 71.378%. &bull; Come Back de Massa (Denielle Gallagher)&nbsp;&ndash; 70.748%
Although&nbsp;Dee Clair&rsquo;s personal best is 76.100%, that score came with rider Anna Marek in 2021. This will be Stevenson&rsquo;s first FEI freestyle aboard Dee Clair, though they have completed four freestyles at the national level.
<h3>6. Three horses are making their FEI Grand Prix Freestyle debut this weekend</h3>
On the East Coast, Etanga (ridden by Alexandra Dominguez Thomas), and on the West Coast, Flower-power and Iniesto (both ridden by Laura de Cesari) will make their first appearances.
With two qualifiers running simultaneously for the first time, this weekend&rsquo;s competition could have a major impact on the series standings. With top contenders looking to solidify their positions and new faces entering the mix, both coasts promise an exciting showdown as the road to the US Equestrian Open Finals continues to unfold. Both freestyle classes take place Saturday, February 15. <a href="https://www.usef.org/membership/join-renew">Become a USEF Network Fan for free</a> to stream the upcoming qualifiers live!&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Stay Connected</h2>
For the <a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/stories/dressage-us-equestrian-open-quick-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most up-to-date series calendar</a> and <a href="https://equestrian-hub-usef.pages.dev/us-equestrian-open" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest standings</a>, visit the official US Equestrian Open Series hub at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usequestrianopen.org/">usequestrianopen.org</a>.
Stay connected with the latest news and standings on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/usequestrianopen"> Facebook</a> and<a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrianopen"> Instagram</a>, and follow US Equestrian on<a href="https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian"> Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/usequestrian/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@usequestrian">TikTok</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/usequestrian">X (Twitter)</a>. Use #USEquestrianOpen to join the conversation.
<img src="https://usef-admin.fly.dev/assets/4bcc5e89-799b-4ab1-85d0-23b457ed5fa2?width=1080&amp;height=1080" alt="Table of the Show Calendar for the 2025 Us Equestrian Open of Dressage Series">
<hr>
For Sport Department questions, please contact Christy Hawkins at <a href="mailto:USEquestrianOpen@usef.org">USEquestrianOpen@usef.org</a>.
For media inquiries about the US Equestrian Open Series, please contact Carly Weilminster at <a href="mailto:cweilminster@usef.org">cweilminster@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Layson Griffin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lgriffin@usef.org">lgriffin@usef.org</a>.&nbsp;

Picture of horse and rider from above as they enter the arena. They are dressed in gear for Dressage.

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